Fitting construction for windows and like



April 22, 1958 1. R. LANCE ErAL FITTING CONSTRUCTION FOR WINDOWS AND LIKE Filed July 23, 1956 ig. l2

INVENTORS. /rswn R. Lance Fig. F'

THE/R A fr0/ME Ys Unite States Patent FITIING CONSTRUCTION FOR WINDOWS AND LIKE.

Irwin R. Lance and Irwin R. Lance II, OHara Township, Allegheny County, Pa.

Application lluly 23, 1956, Serial No. 599,456

Claims. (Cl. Ztl-52.2)

This invention relates to a structure or member assembly for mounting a window or other movable closure member that is adapted to be slid or moved relatively to a frame structure in its utilization. lt relates particularly to an improved mounting structure that has detachable portions for facilitating the insertion and removal of a movable closing member, such as a Window sash, with respect to its frame.

An important phase of the invention deals with equipment or iitting structure for window sash and the like, ,which will make possible the elimination of ordinary sash cords or jambs in a sliding type of construction, and which will additionally facilitate adaptation of conventional or old window constructions to embody the tting structure of our invention.

In developing our fitting structure, we determined that the sash or closure members had to be resiliently or elastically tension-positioned at all times, but in such a manner as to present a minimum of frictional resistance to their movement, as inducedmanually for conventional purposes, such as opening and closing them. At the same factors and to do so in a highly simplified and practical manner by the employment of supplemental, insertable rail, surface, interposed or secondary side jamb and guide tting members which are of resilient, exible or springlike, unitary construction. The one-piece fitting members are slit or separated longitudinally to further the springlike action, to facilitate maintenance, and to assure an easy, effective, and quick mounting and dismounting of appropriate portions of the litting structure or assembly.

The fitting members provide a spring-like resistance to movement of the sash or closing members and have means for controlling, more effectively utilizing, main-A taining, and limiting the spring portions in their action. ln addition, the fitting members on one side of the assembly are transversely slit or separated into sections or upper and lower parts to facilitate mounting and dismounting the window or closure members for cleaning and other purposes.

lt has thus been an object of our invention to meet the problem above presented and in a practical manner;

Another object of our invention has been to devise a new and improved form of tting structure for closures;

A further object has been to provide a tting structure or construction that has an improved and better-controlled type of spring-like or resilient action;

A still further object of our invention has been to provide a sealing-oli type of resilient, demountable, fitting Tir Patented Apr. 22, 1958 Figure 2 is a vertical side section on the scale of and taken along the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views on the same scale as Figure l and taken along the line III-III thereof; these gures illustrate steps employed in assembling and disassembling the construction and as effected by removing one or more lower tting parts from one side of the frame construction for the purpose of lifting-out one or more closure members.

Figure 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line Vll--VII of Figure l;

Figure 8 is a further enlarged, fragrnental, perspective View of side fitting members constructed in accordance with vour invention;

Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontalk section through a mounted fitting member of our invention, showing it in itsrmaximum expanded or inner position; such a mounted relationship and controlled position are typical when no sash or closure member is slidably mounted in position on a spring-like jamb or operating surface portion of the fitting member;

Figure l0 is a horizontal section on the scale of Figure 9 showingY a tting or surface member of our invention in a mounted and tensioned relationship, such as may be effected by the operative positioning of fa closure sash or member thereon; this figure, when compared with Figure 9, discloses that the tting member is free to be tensioned or compressed outwardly or towards its side or base panel portion, even when it is secured in position as by screws; this figure also shows a lift key or tab for facilitating the removal of a lower tting part on one side of the construction or assembly, as well as a wedge element or key for increasing the tension exerted between opposed or V yportions of the spring-like fitting member;

Figure l1 is a slightly enlarged fragmental vertical view, illustrating how a lower inside part of a two-part side rail or fitting construction may be cut-out or oiset to facilitate its insertion and removal as illustrated, for example, in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 12 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of a wedge element that may be employed as disclosed in FigureL 10; andv v Figure l3'is an enlarged fragmental, vertical section through an assembly such as illustrated in Figure 1, and disclosing how weather stripping may be utilized in connection therewith.

Referring to the illustrated embodiment, we have shown an over-all window, closure unit or assembly 10 of a double-hung slide type that has been employed in accordance withour invention (see particularly Figure 1). The closure unit l0 has inside and outside closure members 1l and l2 which are adapted tobe moved up and down as desired within an enclosing mounting frame that may be of conventional construction, as represented by left and right side jamb portions 13 and 13', bottom sill portion 14, and top header or jamb portion 15.

In accordance with our invention, conventional sash cords and weights are eliminated and auxiliary side jamb or surface fitting members 20 are employed in a mounted 3 relationship between the side jambs 13 and 13' of the frame and side rails of the closure members 11 and 12. The fitting members, designated generally by 20, are basically of a spring-like construction, such as made possible by the utilization of strap-like or relatively thin aluminum or brass metal pieces. The pieces are sloped to provide fitting members that are employed as insertable or secondary side jambs.

The fitting member 20 has an outer panel, base or support portion 21, a somewhat box-like, back-spacer and guide rail section, an inner, spring-like, slide, tension plate or jamb portion 22, suitable connecting bends, and means 24, 25a for controlling, limiting and effectively maintaining tension or spring action.

Referring particularly to Figures 7 to l0, inclusive, each fitting member 20 is of unitary or one-piece construction, in that its base or outer panel portion 21 is connected through a front spring shoulder or bend 22a to transversely-extending, inner spring plate or jamb portion 22. The spring portion 22 is connected through a guide corner or bend 22b with an intermediate, inwardly-offset and extending guide face, plate or ledge portion 23. It will be noted that the corner 22h, as supplemented by adjacent portions of 22 and 23, serves as a tension-hold, jamb portion for a sash or closure .l

member, such as 12 of Figure l0.

The guide face portion 23 is in an angular relationship, not only with the spring plate 22, but also with an inside spacer strip or mounting portion 24, being at substantially right angles to both. Figures 8 and 9, the spacer strip portion 24 has suitable mounting holes 24a in a vertically-spaced relationship therealong to receive suitable securing means, such as wood screws 27. The portion 24 is additionally shown as reinforced by a doubled-under back leg 2417.

The screw mounting holes 24a through the portions 24 and 24b are, as shown in Figures 9 and l0, sufficiently large to permit the spring plate 22 to be expanded and contracted or moved inwardly and outwardly along the screws 27 in a flexible or resilient manner. Figure 9 shows a maximum inner or expanded position of the fitting 20, as controlled by a latching engagement between a back edge of the spacer portion 24 and a ledge or latch rim 25a of an inwardly-projecting, inside or back spacer and closure guide strip portion 25. The portion 25 projects at substantially right angles to a back end of the base portion 21, so that its latch rim 0r ledge portion 25a defines a control means for limiting the maximum inward expansion of the spring-like portion 22 and the associated inner portions 23 and 24. This prevents damage to the fitting 20, maintains its spring action constant, provides a more effective type and one that is stronger and more positive and better controlled in its operation.

As shown particularly in Figure 7, we employ two cooperating pairs of fittings 20 along each side of the frame construction, where a pair of sliding or closure members 11 and 12 are to be utilized. The same arrangement may be employed by adding additional side fittings '20 for each additional slide closure member if, for example, three or four closure members are desired. Also, as illustrated in this Figure 7, each fitting or surface member 20, not only provides a resilient spring-like or slide tension positioning of its particular closure member (such as 11), but also provides a guide for one face of its closure member. The adjacent fitting member of the same side pair, not only provides a spring-like or resilient slide mounting as well as a face guide for its particular closure member 12, but also spaces the two closure members 11 and 12 with respect to each other. For the outside face of closure member 12, I have shown conventional side guide strips 17 that may be nailed along the side jambs 13 and 13. See also the top guide strip 16 on header 15.

As illustrated in i The tting member structure of our invention, as constructed and as employed and, particularly with a pair of inner and outer or upper and lower window or closure members 11 and 12 of a sliding sash construction, utilizes a pair of cooperatively-positioned, full-length fitting members a and b for one side jamb 13 of both closure members. This pair of full-length fitting members are secured in position, as by screw means 27, in an abutting and cooperating relationship between a header 1S and a bottom sill 14 of an enclosing frame. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the header 15 has a top guide strip or piece 16 secured thereto (as by nailing) to guide outer sash 12 into its closed position.

On the other side or jamb 13 of the frame, we provide upper and lower, longitudinally or vertically aligned sets or pairs of slit fittings or members c-e and d-f, one pair for each closure member. A transverse slit (see Figures 3 to 6) is made above the height of the closure members (e. g., about 41/2 inches) when both of them are in their lower positions against sill 14. Preferably, the slit declines transversely-outwardly and is staggered from inside to outside fittings and across the parting line between the upper and lower fitting parts. Upper parts c and d of the slit fitting member assembly are also shown secured in position against the side jambs 13' of the inside of the frame, as by screw means 27.

Lower (inside and outside), slide-out fitting parts e and f of each set or pair are pivoted into position on the bottom sill 14, against a back guide strip or piece 17 of the assembly. To hold this lower, fitting part pair in position against slide-out at its top end, we show a small metal wedge 33 driven or wedged between the inner fitting part e and the jamb portion 13 of the frame (see Figures 10 and l2). To facilitate the removal of the lower pair of fitting members e and f, we show a handle, tab or lift element 31 that is secured by metal screw 32 on lower inside tting part e.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, we provide a semipermanent type of window mounting or assembly which is very easily assembled and disassembled by removing a lower set of fitting parts e and f from one side jamb of the framing, such as 13. In this connection, the other side jamb 13 (the left jamb portion of Figure l) is shown provided with a pair of full-length, inner and outer fitting members a and b of the construction indicated generally as 20. The pair of fitting members a and b are secured by some suitable means, such as wood screws 27, which are only tightened down to the extent shown in Figure 9.

On the other side jamb 13', we have shown two pairs or separate upper and lower sets of fitting member parts, also of the general construction represented by 20. In this connection, c and d represent an upper set or pair of inside and outside fitting parts and e and f represent a cooperating and vertical-aligned lower set or pair of inside and outside fitting parts. Although, like the members a and b, the parts c and d are shown secured in position by screws 27, parts e and f require no securing means.

The fitting part f is shown in Figure 6 as pivoted on the bottom sill 14, into and out of its mounted, inside, lower position, so that closure member 12 may be removedl and inserted by slide-tilting it along the jamb portion 13. The closure member 11 (see Figure 5) is inserted and removed after the fitting part e has been pivoted towards the inside of the unit 10, along jamb portion 13', and on the sill 14. In Figure 4, we have shown the closure members y11 and 12 in an upper position such as employed to facilitate their side tilting-out removal by therbottom end tilt removal of fitting parts e and f. As illustrated by Figure 5, the inner closure member 11 is lowered and lifted-out after the fitting part e has been removed. The outer closure member 12 is, in a like manner, lowered and lifted-out after the fitting f has been removed.

To facilitate taking hold of the front or lower fitting part e, we have shown in Figure 10, lift part or element 31 of angular shape. The part 31 is shown secured on the inside or spacer portion 25 by a metal screw 32. To provide additional resistance to starting pull or pivot-out movement of inner fitting part e, as also shown in Figure 10, we utilize driving-in wedge element 33 (see also Figure 12) between the base portion 21 of the fitting 20 and the jamb portion 13 of the frame. This provides additional tension that positively holds the upper end portion of the particular fitting e in position until it is to be removed.

In Figure 11, we have illustrated how lower edges of the fitting e are beveled or cut-out, so that they are complementary with and fit down within the bottom sill 14, as shown in Figure 5. In this connection, the edge 28 declines towards the outside, and the edge 29 is upwardlyoffset to receive an inside portion of the bottom sill 14.

In Figure 13, we have illustrated the use of V-shaped, spring-like, weather strip pieces or members 34 which may be also of thin or strap metal construction of aluminum, brass, etc. The members 34 are shown secured to the closure members 11 and 12 by wood screws 35. Like the fittings 20, the weather strip members 34 have V- shaped abutment plate, spring or tension portions that are adapted to normally expand away from each other and to be compressed or contracted towards each other by opposed inner and outer pressures exerted by the closure members and the frame.

What we claim is:

1. A fitting construction for operatively positioning a closure member in a frame which comprises, a longitudinal fitting member having a transverse outer panel portion for substantial flush mounting on a jamb portion of the frame, an inner spring plate portion having a longitudinal side connected by a spring bend to one longitudinal side of said panel portion, said spring plate portion projecting transversely in an obliquely-spaced relation along said panel portion and defining an inner jamb surface for operative movement of the closure member thereon, a guide portion projecting inwardly from an opposite longitudinal side of said spring plate portion and at an angle thereto to define a limit guide for operative movement of the closure member, a spacer portion projecting inwardly from the opposite longitudinal side of said panel portion, and said guide and spacer portions having cooperating portions to yieldably hold said spring plate and guide portions in an inwardly-expanded position.

2. A fitting construction as defined in claim 1 wherein the cooperating portion of said guide portion is a spacer leg that projects at an angle from said guide portion into engagement with the cooperating portion of said spacer portion.

3. A fitting as defined in claim 1 wherein the cooperating portion of said spacer portion is a latch edge that projects at an angle from said spacer portion towards and beyond the cooperating portion of said guide portion.

4. A fitting construction as defined in claim 3 wherein, said spring plate and guide portions are yieldably biased inwardly from said panel portion, and the cooperating portion of said latch edge limits the maximum inward yieldable positioning of said spring plate and guide portions.

5. A fitting construction for operatively positioning a closure member in a frame which comprises, a longitudinal fitting member having a transverse outer panel portion for substantially fiush mounting on a jamb portion of the frame, a spring plate portion yieldably projecting obliquely-inwardly from said panel portion with an inwardly spaced-apart relation therewith of increasing divergence, said spring plate portion defining an inner jamb surface for operative movement of the closure member thereon, an inwardly-offset angle-shaped guide portion projecting from an inner end of said spring plate portion and transversely 6 in a spaced-apart and somewhat parallel relationship with respect to said panel portion, `an'd a latching-spacer portion projecting inwardly from said panel portion into a cooperative position with said guide portion to limit maximum inward movement of said spring plate portion away from said panel portion.

6. A fitting construction as defined in claim 5 wherein, said guide portion defines a corner guide for movement of the closure member on said spring plate portion, and means projects through said guide portion to mount said fitting member on the frame for inwardly-limited and outwardly-yieldable movement of said spring plate portion.

7. A fitting construction for operatively positioning a closure member in a frame which comprises, a longitudinal fitting member having a transverse outer panel portion for substantially ush mounting on a jamb portion of the frame, a spring plate portion projecting inwardly at an angle with respect to said panel portion from one longitudinal edge thereof and in a somewhat parallel transverse relationship therewith, said spring plate portion defining an inner jamb surface for operative movement of the closure member thereon, a corner guide portion projecting inwardly from an inner longitudinal edge of said spring plate portion to receive the closure member thereon and guide it in its movement on the jamb surface, a spacer leg portion projecting inwardly from and at an angle to said panel portion, and said spacer leg portion having means to limit maximum inward movement of said spring plate portion and permit yieldable outward movement of said spring plate portion toward said panel portion.

8. A fitting construction as defined in claim 7 wherein headed mounting means projects through said corner guide portion and said panel portion to secure said fitting member on the frame and permit yieldable movement of said spring plate portion thereon.

9. A fitting construction as defined in claim 7 wherein, said corner guide and spacer leg portions define a somewhat box-like section, and said spring plate portion is mounted to yieldably move with respect to said panel portion from within said box-like section.

l0. A fitting construction as defined in claim 7 wherein said fitting member is of relatively thin strap metal construction, and said spring plate and corner guide portions are sprung inwardly from a shoulder connection with said panel portion into a position of maximum inward divergence with respect to said panel portion and into engagement against said spacer leg portion.

1l. A fitting construction for operatively positioning a closure member in a frame which comprises, a longitudinal fitting member having a transverse outer panel portion for substantially fiush mounting on a jamb portion of the frame, a spring plate portion projecting inwardly at an angle with respect to said panel portion from one longitudinal edge thereof and in a somewhat'parallel transverse relationship therewith, said spring plate portion defining an inner jamb surface for operative movement of the closure member thereon, a corner guide portion projecting inwardly from an inner longitudinal edge of said -spring plate portion to receive the closure member and guide it in its movement on the jamb surface, a spacer' leg portion projecting inwardly from and at an angle to said panel portion, and saidcorner guide and spacer leg portions having cooperating guide surface portions to guide movement of said spring plate portion inwardly and outwardly with respect to said panel portion. i

12. lA fitting construction as defined in claim l1 wherein means is mounted on the frame and cooperates with said corner guide portion to limit maximum inward movement of said spring plate portion away from and permit outward movement of it towards said panel portion.

13. A fitting construction as defined in claim 11 where- 7 in the guide surface portion of said corner guide portion References Cited in the le of this patent is fi nd contsrtfuo d l 13 h UNITED STATES PATENTS ng cons uc on as e ne 1n c alm W erein the guide Surface portion of said corner guide portion 1521135 Sylvan Dec' 30 1924 is dened by a bend of the reinforced construction that FOREIGN PATENTS has a double fhlckness- 483,864 Canada June 1o, 1952 15. A tting construction as defined in claim 14 Wherein said Spacer leg portion has a ledge that is adapted to engage said bend and limit maximum inward movement of said spring plate portion away from said panel portion. l0 

